Indigenous Engagement, Inclusivity and Reconciliation
Schulich Momentum Pillar
At the Schulich School of Engineering, we are mindfully responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action; the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and ii’ taa’poh’to’p, the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy. Alongside UCalgary, Schulich is in a unique position to empower and engage the campus community in a journey of transformation and renewal grounded in the seven statements of commitment and guided by the recommendations in ii’ taa’poh’to’p.
We are committed to walking together on parallel paths that weave Indigenous Ways of Being, Ways of Knowing, Ways of Connecting and Ways of Doing into the fabric of our school’s culture. All members of our community play an important role in supporting and collaborating on this strategic pillar. Through an evolving approach, our focus on Indigenous engagement, inclusivity and reconciliation will work towards achieving systemic transformation in our engineering community.
Ways of Being
Schulich focus: campus identity, inclusivity, leadership and engagement
Schulich is committed to sharing cultures that value and practice being good relatives on a journey of parallel paths in ethical space with Indigenous students, staff and faculty. We recognize the importance of shared leadership. We will foster an active community of support, engage through meaningful dialogue, create opportunities for reciprocal learning and place the utmost importance on mutual respect.
Ways of Knowing
Schulich focus: teaching, learning and research
We will enhance engineering education and research to reflect Indigenous Peoples’ communities and knowledge systems through decolonized research and teaching. Schulich will embrace inclusive knowledge approaches in our teaching and research that aim to enhance and preserve Indigenous cultures, languages and understanding.
Ways of Connecting
Schulich focus: relationships, partnerships, and connections to land and place
We will encourage, support and value research, teaching and service that interacts with Indigenous communities as equal partners and promotes stewardship with the land and the people living within it. Schulich will enhance our place and space to better create belonging and foster a welcoming campus for Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members. We will implement land-, place- and community-based learning opportunities.
Ways of Doing
Schulich focus: policies, procedures and practices
We will develop new policies and review existing practices to: improve Indigenous student recruitment and retention; encourage inclusive hiring practices that actively recruit Indigenous Peoples; eliminate barriers in our processes and workplace that limit meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Peoples; and create respectful processes that uphold cultural protocol and practices.